Sustainable Travel International forges new links in Indonesia
After finalizing a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind agreement,
Sustainable Travel International (STI), a non-profit global leader in sustainable development and responsible tourism, announced their collaboration with Ecolodges Indonesia (ELI), a pioneering, ecotourism provider operating in an emerging economy, with a focus on biodiversity conservation and enhancement of local community livelihoods. The new collaboration will address the role that growing consumer awareness plays in turning efforts to go green into long-term business solutions for tourism providers.
Sustainable Travel International's mission is to promote sustainable development through responsible travel by providing programs that help travelers, businesses and destinations protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage and promote economic development.
Ecolodges Indonesia is one of the first to pursue international sustainable tourism certification in Indonesia, and is committed to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals through their ecotourism investments and operations. The company’s four Ecolodges emphasize wildlife conservation and improving the livelihoods of local communities where the properties are located.
Both STI and Ecolodges Indonesia support the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Criteria initiated by Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), launched at the World Conservation Congress in October 2008. These criteria identify the minimum standard that any tourism business should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation.
"Working together, STI and ELI will draw on collective experience and triple-bottom line approach to promote and implement our respective products and services in order to support economic development in local communities, while focusing on biodiversity conservation - namely wildlife - in Indonesia," says STI President
Brian Mullis.
His remarks are supported by Dr.
Alan Wilson, Chairman of the Board of Ecolodges Indonesia:
"We are only a small, but growing company with a strong corporate social responsibility agenda, and are excited to become one of STI's ‘Premium Partners’. Working with STI, we can continue to promote responsible travel and ecotourism, support local communities in their efforts to work toward sustainable development, and help travelers better protect the cultures and environments they visit".
Specific components of the collaboration agreement include:
- Eco-Certification: Starting with the Udayana Kingfisher Ecolodge in Bali, ELI will complete STI's Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program to become the flag-ship/inaugural STI certified property in Indonesia. Each of the other ELI Ecolodges will subsequently strive to attain eco-certification.
- Carbon Offsets: In conjunction with STI, ELI will develop a carbon offset program to create projects that directly support rainforest conservation in Indonesia.
- Green.travel: Ecolodges Indonesia will be featured on STI’s new consumer-facing website, Green.travel, coming in 2010. Green.travel will be the go-to resource for travelers to learn about responsible travel and book trips, airfare, car rentals and more. This one-stop-shop is designed to increase awareness of green travel, highlight up-to-date information, and exclusively feature travel providers who are committed to sustainable tourism.
- Travel Philanthropy: ELI will establish and provide travel philanthropy projects specifically focusing on wildlife, environment and local economic development. These projects will be included in STI's Travel Philanthropy project database, and other market outreach opportunities.
- Fair Trade: ELI and STI will work together to explore opportunities to enhance existing ELI support to further development and market access for arts and crafts produced by villages near all ELI operations. They will also assess how working with Aid to Artisans can benefit the livelihoods of local villages.
In addition, STI and ELI will work with a number of other partners, such as the Scientific - Academic - Volunteer - Educational (SAVE) Travel Alliance, National Geographic and other non-government, government and private sector organizations, to identify and utilize additional resources for sustainable tourism development.